National Parks Authority
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1968-69 VICTORIA REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AUTHORITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30rH JUNE, 1967 Ordered by the Legislative Assembly to be printed, 23rd April, 1969. By Authority; A, C. BROOKS, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE, No. 36.-3367/69.-PrucE 30 cents. NATIONAL PARKS AUTHORITY ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE, 1967 To the Honorable Sir Henry Bolte, K.C.M.G., M.L.A., Premier of Victoria, Melbourne, 3002. SIR, In accordance with the requirements of Section 15 of the National Parks Act 1958 (No. 6326), the Authority has the honour to submit to you for presentation to Parliament, its Eleventh Annual Report covering its activities for the year ended 30th June, 1967. THE AUTHORITY. The membership of the National Parks Authority during the year under review was as follows :- Chairman : The Honorable J. W. Manson, M.L.A., Minister of State Development. Deputy Chairman : J. H. Aldred, F.R.I.P.A. Members: A. J. Holt, Secretary for Lands ; A. 0. P. Lawrence, B.Sc. (Adel.), Dip. For. (Oxon), Dip. For. (Canberra), Chairman, Forests Commission of Victoria ; R. G. Downes, M.Agr.Sc., F.A.I.A.S., Chairman, Soil Conservation Authority ; A. Dunbavin Butcher, M.Sc. (Melb.), Director of Fisheries and Wildlife ; Dewar W. Goode, representing organizations concerned with the protection of native fauna and flora ; G. T. Thompson, A.M.I.E. (Aust.) to 2nd February, 1967, and thereafter ; G. Pizzey, representing persons having a special interest in national parks ; E. H. R. Burt, representing the Victorian Ski Association ; G. E. Hindle, representing the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau ; L. H. Smith, M.Sc., D.Phil. (Oxon.), F.R A.C.I., Director of National Parks. MEETINGS. The Tourist Development Authority, as in previous years, kindly allowed the Authority the use of its Board Room for the eleven meetings held during the year. In addition, meetings were held of special committees, dealing with Fire Protection, Legislation and Conservation. STAFF. During the year the Authority obtained the services of a fourth administrative officer. 4 RANGER TRAINING. The Authority arranged for its Chief Technical Officer (Mr. T. E. Arthur) to attend the U.S. National Parks Services Ranger Training Course conducted from March to July, 1967 at Grand Canyon, Colorado. Mr. Arthur was also able to improve his knowledge in this sphere by visiting a number of National and State Parks in U.S.A. and Canada, and by examining the State Park System of California. The Authority feels that the knowledge gained by Mr. Arthur during his visit overseas will find application in future Ranger Training Courses and in many other ways. VISITS OF INSPECTION. The Authority inspected the following National Parks during the year, The Lakes, Glenaladale, Mount Buffalo, Wilson's Promontory, Fraser, Port Campbell, Tarra Valley, Bulga and Kinglake. All other national parks were visited by the Director or by technical staff. WORKS PROGRAMMES. As in previous years, the Committees of Management submitted Works Programmes for their respective parks. After careful analysis, an operations budget was drawn up for each park in respect of the year ended 30th June, 1967. FIRE PROTECTION. The planning of works by the Fire Protection Committee designed to prevent fires in national parks continued throughout the year. It is pleasing to report that only four small fires occurred in national parks during the year ended 30th June, 1967. Three occurred in Fern Tree Gully National Park and one at Wilson's Promontory. The Authority thanks the Forests Commission for its help in suppressing fires in national parks and the Country Fire Authority whose volunteer fire-fighters at the four fires mentioned numbered over 100 men. The Authority views with grave concern the fact that two of the fires were apparently deliberately lit and the other two were allegedly caused by the inadequate supervision by neighbouring land-owners of their own burning-off activities. LEGISLATION. In April, 1967, an area of 342 acres, situated approximately three miles distant from the town of Yinnar was dedicated as the Morwell National Park. It features the epiphytic Butterfly Orchid (Sarcochilus australis) and boasts a tall forest with a very beautiful fern gully. The declaration of this area as a national park was made possible by the co-operation of the Morwell Shire Council which provided half of the finance required to purchase the land, the other half being a special grant from the Government. LEASES AND PERMITS. Tidal River Cafe. Following the inability of the lessee (Mrs. Amalia Unger) to continue the lease of the cafe after Easter 1966, and as the first step to ensure that the cafe would be operating during the 1966-67 holiday period, the Authority bought the lessee's unreverted interest in the building, as well as the furnishings and equipment. As a short-term measure a lease to operate the cafe from 3rd December, 1966 to 2nd April, 1967, was issued to Mr. K. F. Blunden. Plans are now well advanced to increase the capacity of the cafe and to modernize the interior. When this work has been completed, it is hoped to obtain a lessee to operate the cafe over a three-year period. Hotel /Motel-Tidal River. The Annual Report of 1965-66 referred to the granting by the Authority of a lease to Chalet International Pty. Ltd. ; but, following a subsequent request by that company, the Authority agreed to the surrender of the lease in February, 1967. COMMITTEES OF MANAGEMENT. The membership of the Committees of Management for the various national parks is set out in Appendix 1. 5 THE NATIONAL PARKS. At the close of the year there were twenty national parks in Victoria, located as shown in Figure I. Notes on each of the parks follow. 1. WYPERFELD NATIONAL PARK. Committee of Management. There has been no change in membership during the period under review. Visitor Statistics. Over 5,000 visitors were recorded during the year. Park Activities. Fire protection measures have been extended with the construction of further fire access tracks. The drought conditions and diminished rainfall (only 997 points were recorded as compared with an annual average of 1,346 points for the previous eight years) have combined to accelerate the Authority's plans to construct a suitable catchment in the park to make the best of the rain which falls there. Conservation. The plot fenced some years ago for regeneration of native flora contains an abundance of sturdy Native pines some of which have attained a height of 4 feet. As a voluntary project during December, 1966, a party of Ararat High School students fenced twelve plots for the regeneration of Native pines in an area stripped of these trees during the serious fires of 1946. The practical interest shown by the boys in this work is greatly appreciated. Flora and Fauna. In July, 1966, a pair of Blue-Faced Honey-eaters (Entomyzon cyanotis) established themselves in the park. With their advent, the native bird list for the park was increased by one to 201 species. Condition of the Park. The park is well cared for but, at the end of June, 1967, was showing the effects of the low rainfall during the year and the lack of feed was having an adverse effect on the animal life, notably the kangaroos. 2. KINGLAKE NATIONAL PARK. Committee of Management. There was no change in the membership of the Committee during the year. However, due to pressure of his present duties, Mr. S. C. Green, an officer of the Forests Commission, found it necessary to resign from the position of secretary, after ten years of valuable service. Mr. K. J. Douglass, another officer of the Forests Commission, was appointed as Mr. Green's successor from 7th March, 1967. Visitors. The number of visitors along with fees paid for this period is given in the following table, which also shows comparative figures for the past few years. 1958-59. 1960-61. 1964-65. 1966-67. Number of visitors 16,000 21,000 35,000 44,700 63,000 Fees paid (dollars) .. j 825 1,574 2,068 2,088 3,519 ---- -··------'---·--······ ________:___ _____ _ Park Activities. During the year under review, J~ miles of fire protection tracks were maintained and 1t miles of tracks capable of carrying fire tankers were constructed. In the same period miles of tourist tracks were maintained. The lowering of the water table caused by the dry season necessitated the making of extensions to the bore-casing in Jehosophat Gully. 6 During the year, at Mason's Falls picnic area, erection of the second brick toilet for that area was commenced and terracing of the picnic area and gravelling of the parking area were completed. Condition of the Park. The park is well cared for and in good condition. 3. FERN TREE GULLY NATIONAL PARK. Committee of Management. The Committee lost the services of Mr. C. L. Nobelius who had represented local interests since the inception of the Authority until his death on 1st May, 1967. Mr. A. Blair, J.P., also a representative of local interests for the past thirteen years, resigned on 2nd February, 1967. Mr. D. P. Maguire was appointed to the Committee on 4th May, 1967, vice Mr. Blair. Visitor Statistics. The total number of visitors during the year was estimated at 70,000. The park maintains its popularity as a venue for annual picnics of school, church and social organizations and for family barbecues. Park Activities. The usual fire protection measures were carried out during the year and tracks were maintained. A number of fires occurred in the park, but were brought under control by officers of the Forests Commission and Country Fire Authority volunteers.